Who to start · 2025-26
Alexander Nikishin vs Josh Manson
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Alexander Nikishin projects to 1.50 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Josh Manson's 1.48.
Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Manson had 31 in 79 games.
This week Nikishin has 1 game left; Manson has 1 left. We project Nikishin for 1.5 ESPN points to Manson's 1.5.
Alexander Nikishin has the better number in 19 of the 33 stats both are ranked on.
Nikishin's biggest edges: Offensive-zone start % 67.9%, Goals above expected +2.7, Net penalties drawn /60 −0.20.
Manson's biggest edges: Penalty minutes 91, Transition attempts /60 0.59, On-ice PDO 1014.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 0 PPP, 1 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Alexander Nikishin
1.50
fantasy points per game
Josh Manson
1.46
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Alexander Nikishin has the edge.
| Points per game from | Nikishin | Manson |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.27 | 0.13 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.27 | 0.33 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.06 | 0.00 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.01 | 0.00 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.15 | 0.16 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.16 | 0.22 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.58 | 0.63 |
Per-game rates from the selected sample; blended mixes last season with this season, weighting this season more as games are played. Categories are scored as z-scores against qualified players at the same position. Your custom weights are saved in this browser only.
Head-to-head: Nikishin vs Manson
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2025-26 to 2025-26: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Nikishin 0G 0A, 2 SOG · Manson 0G 0A, 5 SOG
Nikishin blocked 0 of Manson's shots; Manson blocked 1 of Nikishin's.
On the ice against each other (Nikishin's side)
10:57 at 5-on-5 over 2 games, 2025-26, from Nikishin's side
- Shot attempts
- 4–18
- 18.2%
- Expected goals
- 0.1–0.9
- 6.0%
- Goals
- 0–0
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Nikishin | Manson |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-03 | CAR 3–5 COL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 3S |
| 2025-10-23 | CAR 5–4 COL | 0G 0A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
Every stat, side by side
Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.
Fantasy box score
Possession & shot quality (5-on-5 on-ice)
Transition, turnovers & faceoffs
Usage
Special teams & discipline
This week's schedule
Sep 28 to Oct 4. More games usually wins a weekly start/sit. Chips show how many fantasy points the opponent allows to the player's position (soft or tough), the Schedule Edge from rest and travel, and the likely opposing goalie with his save percentage. Projections use ESPN default points for the games left.
Alexander Nikishin
3games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Tue, Sep 29 vs FLA
- Fri, Oct 2 vs WSH
- Sat, Oct 3 @ PHIB2B1.5 pts
Josh Manson
2games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts (season rate)
- Wed, Sep 30 vs LAK
- Sat, Oct 3 vs STL1.5 pts
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Alexander Nikishin or Josh Manson in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Alexander Nikishin projects to 1.50 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Josh Manson's 1.48. Nikishin had 33 points in 81 games; Manson had 31 in 79 games. Check this week's games and your league's scoring in the fantasy panel above, since more games usually decide a weekly start.
- Who is better, Alexander Nikishin or Josh Manson?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Alexander Nikishin leads in 19 of 33 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Nikishin and Manson done against each other?
- In 2 games against each other in our data, Nikishin's team went 1–1. Nikishin had 0 points (0 goals) and Manson had 0 (0 goals).
2025-26 regular season from NHL play-by-play, shift charts and NHL EDGE, processed by Edgehalla. Head-to-head covers every loaded season (play-by-play from 2019-20; on-ice matchups from 2025-26).Compare other players →